Transfer case

Tiny
CRW4719
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 HONDA CRV
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 235,000 MILES
Hello. I removed the axle to the rear wheels over 12 months ago to make it FWD. Twice this month the transmission disengaged from the engine as if I pressed the clutch pedal but didn't. I stumbled on a temporary fix. I jacked up the front end and spun the front passenger wheel then it would drive normally. The same fix worked the second time it occurred. The MT fluid is fine. Clutch has about 35,000 miles on it. I searched the internet without success. Can you help me determine the problem? Thanks in advance.
Saturday, February 29th, 2020 AT 10:00 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,144 POSTS
Hi,

This is an interesting one because it has a manual transmission. When it happens, you say it feels like the clutch is depressed. Is there any noise associated with it? Truthfully, the only way that can happen is if the pressure on the clutch disc is released allowing it to disengage. When this isn't happening, does the clutch slip at all?

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, February 29th, 2020 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
CRW4719
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Joe, thanks for your response. There is no noticeable noise or sound. I'm driving on a slight uphill grade (twice) in fourth gear and the car starts to decelerate even though I'm giving it more gas. The CR-V will coast to a stop. The clutch feels the same when I down shift to third and second but has no affect on the engine. The clutch slipped before I had it replaced but not since.
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Sunday, March 1st, 2020 AT 3:40 AM
Tiny
CRW4719
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Another observation, when I had the CR-V jacked up the first time I spun the passenger side tire and the driver-side tire spun in the opposite direction. The second time I had the car jacked up I spun the driver-side tire first but the passenger-side did not move. I then spun the passenger-side and then the driver-side spun in the opposite direction.
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Sunday, March 1st, 2020 AT 4:55 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,144 POSTS
Hi,

The tires turning isn't anything out of the ordinary. If there was a gear issue in the transmission, transfer case and so on, you would hear it. I honestly feel the pressure plate is bad and allowing the clutch disc to release from the engine. Something is happening allowing it to release or it is slipping again. Do you only feel it in fourth gear on a hill?

I just read through everything related to the rear differential and how the transfer case works on the vehicle. If functions in front wheel drive unless under heavy acceleration from stop or the front tires spin faster than the rear. I keep coming back to the clutch itself.

I am going to ask another tech that I trust for his opinion. He will most likely jump in on this thread.

Joe
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Sunday, March 1st, 2020 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
CRW4719
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Yes, on both occasions the CR-V was in fourth gear. I appreciate your assistance.
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Monday, March 2nd, 2020 AT 5:12 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,671 POSTS
The transfer case in the car is called a torque control this means it evenly distributes engine torque the front and rear drive wheels evenly. It sounds like the transfer case overheats due to no rear wheel drive. Here is how the transfer case works in the diagrams below.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
CRW4719
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Thanks, Ken. I removed the drive shaft to the rear wheels over 12 months before I started having problems. It occurred twice in 2-3 weeks.
Are you saying that the solution to the over-heating transfer case is to re-install the drive shaft to the rear wheels?
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,144 POSTS
What he is questioning may be the issue. It makes sense. If you still have the driveshaft, install it and see if the problem is gone. Interesting it would take 12 months, but different conditions can cause new issues.

Let us know.
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,671 POSTS
It could take that long for the viscous coupler to wear out. Reinstall the shaft to see if the problem goes away. Please let us know.
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Thursday, March 5th, 2020 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
CRW4719
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I'll re-install the drive shaft this weekend and drive it around. I'll also replace the rear differential fluid and report back.
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Thursday, March 5th, 2020 AT 12:25 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Sounds good, please let us know.
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Friday, March 6th, 2020 AT 11:30 AM
Tiny
CRW4719
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
So far, so good. After installing the drive shaft, I drove the CR-V for about 40 minutes without incident covering the same ground as when I had the 2 problems. Both problems occurred at around 10 min. After departure. While not conclusive, I'm encouraged.
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Sunday, March 8th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Good to hear as well, please let us know if you need anything else. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Monday, March 9th, 2020 AT 12:04 PM
Tiny
CRW4719
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Just an update: still no problems. My thanks to you both.
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,144 POSTS
I told you he was good. LOL Thanks, Ken!

Joe
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,671 POSTS
It's what we do! Go team :)
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Wednesday, March 11th, 2020 AT 10:26 AM

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